President Barack Obama can end a moratorium on oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico under new rules reducing the risk of an uncontrolled spill, according to a report for a panel investigating BP Plcs blowout.

President Barack Obama is taking his family to the Florida Panhandle for a weekend trip billed as part family vacation, part presidential sales pitch, as he looks to boost the region's sagging tourism industry in the aftermath of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

US President Barack Obama is confident in the quality of Gulf of Mexico seafood despite the BP oil spill and will serve some at a party Sunday to mark his 49th birthday, a top aide said.

President Barack Obama supports a proposal that a large portion of any federal penalties paid by BP Plc over the Gulf of Mexico oil spill be returned to the states, White House energy adviser Carol Browner said today.

US President Barack Obama said Wednesday the BP static kill effort to plug the runaway Gulf of Mexico oil well appeared to be working, calling this welcome news.